user_manual/android_app.rst

   1 ==============================
   2 Using the ownCloud Android App
   3 ==============================
   4
   5 Accessing your files on your ownCloud server via the Web interface is easy and
   6 convenient, as you can use any Web browser on any operating system without
   7 installing special client software. However, the ownCloud Android app offers
   8 some advantages over the Web interface:
   9
  10 * A simplified interface that fits nicely on a tablet or smartphone
  11 * Automatic synchronization of your files
  12 * Instant uploads of photos or videos recorded on your Android device
  13 * Easily add files from your device to ownCloud
  14 * Two-factor authentication
  15
  16 Getting the ownCloud Android App
  17 --------------------------------
  18
  19 One way to get your ownCloud Android app is to log into your ownCloud server
  20 from your Android device using a Web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or
  21 Dolphin. The first time you log in to a new ownCloud account you'll see a screen
  22 with a download link to the ownCloud app in the `Google Play store
  23 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.owncloud.android>`_.
  24
  25 .. figure:: images/android-first-screen.jpg
  26
  27 You will also find these links on your Personal page in the Web interface,
  28
  29 You can also get it from the `Amazon App store
  30 <http://www.amazon.com/ownCloud-Inc/dp/B00944PQMK/>`_, and get source code and
  31 more information from the `ownCloud download page
  32 <http://owncloud.org/install/#mobile>`_.
  33
  34 Connecting to Your ownCloud Server
  35 ----------------------------------
  36
  37 The first time you run your ownCloud Android app it opens to a configuration
  38 screen. Enter your server URL, login name, password, and click the Connect
  39 button. (Click the eyeball to the right of your password to expose your
  40 password.)
  41
  42 .. figure:: images/android-new-account.png
  43
  44 For best security your ownCloud server should be SSL-enabled, so that you can
  45 connect via ``https``. The ownCloud app will test your connection as soon as
  46 you enter it and tell you if you entered it correctly. If your server has a
  47 self-signed SSL certificate you'll get a scary warning how it is not to be
  48 trusted. Click the OK button to accept the certificate and complete your account
  49 setup.
  50
  51 .. figure:: images/android-ssl-cert.png
  52
  53 Managing Files
  54 --------------
  55
  56 Now you should see the Files page of your ownCloud account. Click the overflow
  57 button at the top right (that's the one with three vertical dots, and that is
  58 really what it is called) to open a user menu. ``Refresh account`` refreshes the
  59 page view. ``Settings`` take you to your settings menu. ``Sort`` gives you the
  60 option to sort your files by date, or alphabetically.
  61
  62 .. figure:: images/android-files-page.png
  63
  64 The little file folder icon to the left of the overflow button opens a dialog to
  65 create a new folder. The arrow button opens a file upload dialog, and you can
  66 either upload content from other Android apps such as Google Drive, the Gallery,
  67 your music player, or from your Android filesystem. When you add a new file
  68 you will see a confirmation on the top left when it has uploaded successfully,
  69 and it is immediately synchronized with the server.
  70
  71 .. figure:: images/android-upload.png
  72
  73 All files (that you have permission to access) on your ownCloud server are
  74 displayed in your Android app, but are not downloaded until you download them.
  75 Downloaded files are marked with a green arrow.
  76
  77 .. figure:: images/android-file-list.png
  78
  79 Download and preview a file with a short press on the filename.  When the file
  80 is in preview mode, a short press on the overflow button opens a menu with
  81 options for sharing, opening with an app, removing, sending, and displaying file
  82 details.
  83
  84 .. figure:: images/android-file.png
  85
  86
  87 A long press on the filename does not download it, but opens a dialog with
  88 options for sharing, downloading, renaming, moving, removing, sending, and
  89 viewing file details.
  90
  91
  92 .. figure:: images/android-file-options.png
  93
  94
  95 Settings
  96 --------
  97
  98 The Settings screen offers a number of useful options. In the Accounts
  99 section you can configure multiple ownCloud accounts.
 100
 101 The Security section sets up strong two-factor authentication by allowing you
 102 to add a PIN (personal identification number) to access your account.
 103
 104 The Instant Uploads section creates a directory, :file:`/InstantUpload`, and
 105 any photos or videos created with your Android device's camera are instantly
 106 uploaded to this directory. You also have the option to choose any other
 107 existing directory. Another nice option is Upload Pictures/Video via WiFi Only,
 108 to conserve your Internet data usage.
 109
 110 .. figure:: images/android-settings.png
 111
 112 The bottom section of the Settings screen has links to help and the
 113 app's version number.
 114
 115 .. figure:: images/android-help.png